TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Valdosta State cross country team raced against a highly competitive field at the FSU XC Invitational early Friday morning and had some good finishes. Overall the men placed eighth as a team and the women placed 13th.

The Blazer men finished eighth out of 12 teams in the 8K, totaling 198 points.

Nick Waddell led Valdosta State with a 30th place finish with a time of 26:42.8. Liam LeBrocq, Caleb Tilford, Graham Harrod and Parker Henderson rounded out the top five for VSU, finishing just seconds away from one another. Tilford and Harrod finished within milliseconds of each other, Tilford finished at 27:29.1 and Harrod 27:29.7.

Next to cross the line was Jake Wilkerson in 59th place with a time of 27:44.3. Following behind was Toshiya Bass then Mason Brown and Nate Spivey.

Rounding out the Blazers was Hunter Shuler in 98th, then Alex Albano in 100th and Randall Luke 116th.

The VSU women finished 13th out of 16 teams in the 6K, recording 329 points.

Emma Burnett led the Blazers this go around with a 58th place finish, crossing the line at 24:27.6. Not too far behind was Ella Burnett in 68th place with a time of 24:58.2. 

Alanta Lofton came across the line next in 93rd place, finishing at 26:04.3. Carly Story made her 6K debut for VSU, running a time of 29:32.4. Closely behind was Alyssa Youmans in 120th place. 

To round out the VSU finishers was Ellie Cardozo, running a new personal best time of 31:33.3. 

Next up, the Blazers will head back to Huntsville, Ala. for the UAH Chargers Invitational on Oct. 24 starting with the men at 9 a.m.

Complete Men's Results:
30th: Nick Waddell - 26:42.8
42nd: Liam LeBrocq - 27:11.0
49th: Caleb Tilford - 27:29.1
50th: Graham Harrod - 27:29.7
55th: Parker Henderson - 27:36.1
59th: Jake Wilkerson -  27:44.3
78th: Toshiya Bass - 28:40.4
91st: Mason Brown - 29:15.0
95th: Nate Spivey - 29:59.9
98th: Hunter Shuler - 30:10.4
100th: Alex Albano - 30:38.0
116th: Randall Luke - 36:56.6

Complete Women's Results:
58th: Emma Burnett - 24:27.6
68th: Ella Burnett - 24:58.2
85th: Samantha Savinon-Rios - 25:38.7
93rd: Alanta Lofton - 26:04.3
119th: Carly Storie - 29:32.4
120th: Alyssa Youmans - 29:37.2
129th: Ellie Cardozo - 31:33.3

Complete Results
 

Stay up to date on all Blazer Athletics news by downloading the Blazer mobile app for exclusive content, gameday notifications, schedules, rosters and more. Fans can also follow @VState_Blazers on Instagram and X and like the Valdosta State Blazers Facebook page.